Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, declared “mission accomplished” tonight as his vote total surpassed the 50,000 votes needed to maintain a ballot line for the Green Party in New York.

Hawkins successfully regained ballot status for the Greens in 2010 after they lost it in the 2002 election. In 2014, Hawkins won almost 5% of the vote, the highest vote total for an independent left party candidate for governor in New York history and the highest percentage since 1920. Today’s accomplishment is the first time that one candidate has won a ballot line for a third party for three consecutive gubernatorial elections in New York history.

“We have secured a Green Party ballot line in New York state for three consecutive elections by running our own candidates instead of running a major party candidate on our line. That’s a significant achievement in a system designed to create so-called third parties that merely function as extra ballot lines for the Democratic and Republican parties,” said Hawkins.

“But it’s too bad that corporate media gave Cuomo a free ride,” Hawkins continued. “They excluded the Greens from the news narrative of the primary and general elections. The Green alternatives to Cuomo’s terrible education, fiscal, transit, housing, and energy policies were not reported. Cuomo’s record was not subject to public debates because the corporate media succumbed to Cuomo’s dictates on debates. New York’s voters are the losers. They weren’t informed of all their options.”

Hawkins said that the Greens will now focus on organizing movements to push state government to adopt the popular demands the Greens campaigned for, including the New York Health Act for single-payer health care, fully-funding public schools, closing pro-developer loopholes in the expiring rent laws, tuition-free public college, and criminal justice and election reforms.

“The Greens will focus on passing the New York Off Fossil Fuels Act with the same intensity we put into winning the fracking ban in 2014,” Hawkins said. The NY OFF Act would block all new fracked-gas pipelines and power plants and build out a 100% clean energy system by 2030.

“The IPCC says we have 12 years left for a worldwide emergency mobilization to avoid climate collapse. We have already wasted 4 years since the Paris accord. The prognosis is bleak under either Democrats or Republicans,” said Green comptroller candidate Mark Dunlea.

“Our electoral efforts will now shift to local town, city and county races, where we can win more offices because it is harder for the pay-to-play money going to the Democrats and Republicans to beat local candidates who can go door-to-door to talk to voters,” Hawkins said.

With just a few days to go this is the time we need everyone to volunteer whenever and where ever they can.

Join Carmen Hulbert to give out literature at Trader Joe’s on Court Street Saturday and Sunday from 1p – 5p. Even if you could just spare an hour!
Contact Carmen at 347-277-3892

And you can always get some campaign literature and distribute in your neighborhood or subway stations. Contact Dani for literature and signs. dani@gpbk.org or 347-218-3107

Do you have an hour or two to spare on Election Day – Tuesday Nov 6? Polls show that many people do not decide who they will vote for until they are on their way to the polling site. You could make the difference for them to vote Hawkins/Lee Green Party.

Stock up on campaign literature and hit your local poll site. Busy times during the morning and evening rush are best but make it work with your schedule. Want to team up or stake out one of the high Green Party vote turn out polling sites? Contact Gloria at gloria@gpbk.org or 917-886-4538 for an assignment.

Join other Greens and supporters on Election night after the polls close to watch the results.
https://www.facebook.com/events/758013504550746/

One week to go so Get Out The Vote is in high gear. How will voters hear about Howie and Jia and make sure they get to the polls on Tuesday November 6 to vote for them? Because you are going to be part of a massive text banking effort to reach thousands and thousands of people.

Although thus far Cuomo has refused to debate ALL the Gubernatorial Candidates, The League of Women Voters has stepped forward to sponsor a debate in Albany where all the candidates are invited. The debate will be live streamed. Join GPBK members to watch the debate together and plan for Election Day activities. For location RSVP: gloria@gpbk.org or (917) 886-4538, or organize your own debate watching parties!

Make personal phone calls. Reach out one-on-one. Have conversations. Explain that Howie and Jia are the only progressives on the ballot for Governor. Explain that the only way to resist the corporate rule of Cuomo with their vote is to vote for Howie and Jia. Explain that the only way to overcome rightwing monsters like Trump is to build a strong Left party opposed to corporate influence, which the Democratic Party leadership (like Cuomo) will never do.Explain why this is important to you — personally. Ask them what issues they care most about, explain how Howie and Jia will fight for them. Call in favors! Do whatever you have to do. Tell them about the rest of our statewide slate! Tell them about the great local candidates we run, or will run!

By When Does It Need To Happen?

We need activists to have recruited your 10-20 people as soon as possible. Then we need you to follow up with your recruits and encourage them to keep reaching out to their people!

Why?

If each of us makes a personal appeal to 10-20 people who then each go out and persuade 10-20 other people that could mean an extra few thousand votes on Election Day. And we will need every one of those votes to ensure we keep our ballot line.

Is This Our Only Get Out The Vote Tactic?

No. On Tuesday we will begin text banking through our entire phone list in a week.

Please note: Text banking is similar to phone banking except it is much easier and MORE FUN! It is simple to learn and can be done from your home computer on your own schedule. Once you sign up at the above link, you will be sent a tutorial to watch and then you can start. It is one of the quickest and best ways to reach maximum voters. Please sign up!

Wednesday October 24th Come out to support our Green Party Comptroller candidate Mark Dunlea! He will be speaking on the Green New Deal at 7:00pm at the Ethical Culture Society in Manhattan, 2 West 64th Street, NYC 10023

Although thus far Cuomo has refused to debate ALL the Gubernatorial Candidates, The League of Women Voters has stepped forward to sponsor a debate in Albany where all the candidates are invited. Cuomo has not (yet) accepted, but all other candidates are confirmed. The debate will be live streamed. Join GPBK members for our last campaign meeting to watch the debate together, to plan for election day campaigning, and to get text bank training. 31 Smith Street, 2nd floor in Downtown Brooklyn. Exact Time TBA. Contact: gloria@gpbk.org or (917) 886-4538.

Other Ways to Help the Campaign

Call NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli at 518 474-4044 and urge him to divest the state pension funds from fossil fuels (you can also tweet him at Tom DiNapoli or @NYSComptroller, #DivestNY). Script When you call: please divest the NYS pension from fossil fuels. It is wrong to invest the pension fund in companies that are destroying the planet through global warming. And it is increasingly a risky financial investment. You can also sign petition calling for DiNapoli to agree to divest. The Comptroller has the power to make the decision to divest by himself.

We are meeting at 5:30 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The debate starts at 6:30 pm. Carmen Hulbert will have flyers for our Socialist Solutions panels for Tuesday (Segregation) and Wednesday (Health Care). So we need a good number of people to make sure we leaflet the whole crowd when the arrive to get in. Please let Carmen know you are coming: 347-277-3892, carmenhulbert@gmail.com

P.S. Howie can not be at this event due to having to be in Nassau County protesting No Debates Cuomo at a fundraiser with that same man in a chicken suit with “Cuomo” sign around his neck and carrying a placard that says “Cluck You! No Debates!” After that, he is speaking at another previously scheduled event in Long Island.

Our messages will be coming more often now that election day is only 4 weeks away! There is so much activity to get involved in! Please volunteer, donate, “like” and share Howie’s FaceBook Page (very important!) and help Get Out the Vote for the only independent eco-socialist Gubernatorial ticket – Howie Hawkins and Jia Lee and the other state wide candidates Mark Dunlea, Comptroller and

Michael Sussman, Attorney General.

Here is the latest on what’s happening around the city this week:

Thursday, Oct. 11 – Campaign outreach at Brooklyn College from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Contact dani@gpbk.org or 347-218-3107 if you can help.

Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:00pm – Green Party of Brooklyn is holding its weekly organizing meeting at 31 Smith Street, 2nd floor. Training on text banking and canvassing in addition to other organizing actions are on the agenda so RSVP to gloria@gpbk.org or 917-886-4538

Sunday October 14 – Tabling and Flyering at the Hispanic Day Parade from 10:00am to 3:00pm. We will set up a table between West 58th & 59th streets, off Fifth Avenue and we will flyer North and South bound along the parade. Contact Carmen at (347) 277-3892. See event on FB at https://www.facebook.com/events/2257272937837527/

The first debate (and possibly only) for New York State Comptroller took place in-studio on Tuesday 10/9. We apologize that we announced it would be broadcast live. It was not live, but it will be broadcast on Sunday October 14 at 8:00pm. Watch Mark Dunlea answering questions and arguing for divesting NY state’s pension plan from fossil fuels.

Tune in on TV: MNN1 (Spectrum 34 & 1995, RCN 82, FiOS 33) or go to www.howiehawkins.org for other links to watch.

Don’t miss the first in a series of important forums in NYC sponsored by the Hawkins/Lee for Governor campaign! TODAY, September 25th! See below for details. More forums to come. We will keep you updated.

Also, please join us for our regular Thursday night campaign meeting this week on Thursday September 27th at 7:00pm at 31 Smith Street in Brooklyn.

And join Jill Stein this Saturday night September 29th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm as she joins forces with Howie Hawkins and Jia Lee (and others) to throw her full support behind the campaign and rally the troops! At Brooklyn Diamond Coffee space – 349 West Broadway
between Broome and Grand streets in Manhattan (Soho).

Call Dani at (347) 218-3107 with any questions.

Socialist Solutions to Low Wages: Tuesday 9/25, 7pm at the LGBT Center in Manhattan
Richard Wolff (Economic Update, Democracy@Work), community organizer JoAnn Lum, and Socialist Party NYC chair and workers’ rights attorney Tana Forrester will join Howie Hawkins for real talk on Socialist Solutions To Low Wages!
How do we Demand More and overcome poverty wages, wage theft, exploitative scheduling and speed-up? By building worker power and workplace democracy. Find out how!
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
208 W 13th St (Map)
New York, NY 10011
RSVP online, Share on Facebook
Jill Stein(!!) and Howie Hawkins: Saturday, 9/29, 8pm at Brooklyn Diamond Coffee in Manhattan
Join 2016 Green Presidential Nominee Dr. Jill Stein as she launches her nationwide tour to build the Green Party so that we can Demand More and smash the corporate duopoly. Learn more about how you can support Howie, Jia Lee and the rest of our GPNY candidates before Election Day.
Brooklyn Diamond Coffee West Broadway
349 W Broadway
New York, NY 10013
We have so much more coming up in NYC and there are so many ways for you to help!Check out the Calendar for more events and volunteer opportunitiesSign Up To VolunteerJoin the Howie Hawkins For Governor Volunteer Facebook Group
Howie Hawkns / Jia Lee Campaignhttp://www.howiehawkins.org/
P.S. please help this campaign keep running strong!

Please Join us Thursday September 13th at 7:00pm at 31 Smith Street in Downtown Brooklyn to Welcome the new Hawkins/Lee NYC Campaign Organizer Michael Blecher!!

Michael has been working with grassroots progressive candidates since 2016 and we’re excited to have him on board! He is ready to support and coordinate our ongoing volunteer activities, our campaign material needs, and upcoming candidate appearances.

After Thursdays Democratic Primary we need to hit the ground running and Michael is here to help! Come and let him know how he can assist your community to spread the word about our Green Party candidates.

Saturday 9/15 Leafletting

This week, leafletting will take place from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in Brooklyn at the Grand Army Plaza Farmers Market. Please contact Dani to RSVP (info below)

Sunday/Monday September 16 &17 – Howie Hawkins NYC Appearances

Howie will be in NYC to give a talk at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture on Sunday 9/16 at 1pm. He has also been invited to speak at Zuccotti Park for the Occupy anniversary press conference the following day (Monday 9/17) at 11am, and will have a news conference for the campaign later at 1pm.

September and October – Save These Dates for Upcoming Campaign Events – More Details To Come

Sunday September 23rd Atlantic Antic – We will have a table at Brooklyn’s Largest Street Fair from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.Please plan to help staff our table and get the word out about Howie/Jia and all our candidates!

Tuesday September 25th, Tuesday October 2nd, Tuesday October 16th, and Monday October 22nd

Socialist Solutions to Pressing Problems Forum Series. These forums will feature our Governor and Lt. Governor candidates Howie Hawkins & Jia Lee as well as other prominent speakers. The first two sessions are in Manhattan (9/25 & 10/2) and the next two are Brooklyn (10/16 & 10/22). Stay tuned for more info!

*********************

Let’s get ready to push hard in these final two months! All Green Party hands are needed on deck!

Please contact us to let us know when you can help. You can leaflet your subways or any place that works for you at any time. We can get materials to you.

To RSVP to any event or for questions, contact Dani: (347) 218-3107 /daniliebling@yahoo.com

Anthony Beckford‘s endorsement was approved by the GPBK Membership at our recent membership meeting, per GPBK’s new endorsement process. Congrats Anthony on all your work so far, and we’re looking forward to helping you get out your message! Anthony will appear on the ballot in November as the Green Party candidate.

More from Anthony:
As a long time advocate and activist, I have always had great pleasure in fighting for the people. It is my duty and my honor. I have heard the cries and have seen the tears. My decision to run for NYS Assembly is for me to answer those cries and to help dry those tears. As a Disabled Marine Corps Veteran and a single father, I have overcome a lot and have inspired many to do so as well. As the son of Jamaican immigrants, I have unconditional love for my community, which is predominantly Caribbean. My community is Assembly District 42 in Brooklyn, which is made up of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood and Ditmas Park. I have been on the frontlines fighting against police brutality, pipelines, fracking, corrupt landlords and developers, corrupt politicians, bigotry, racism and so much more. I am honored to have received the endorsement from the Green Party of Brooklyn and welcome any and all help and donations for my campaign to become a greater movement of the people. It is time for the people to elect a candidate that will not provide lip service, but will actually provide solutions.

Upcoming events:Current–
Petitioning
Please reach out to Anthony (voteforanthonybeckford@gmail.com) to help petition in his district!

Sunday, June 17, 10am-5pm
Seventh Heaven Street FestivalCome join GPBK at the Seventh Heaven Street Festival. We’ll be spreading the word about our Governor and Lt. Governor candidates (Howie Hawkins and Jia Lee) at 7th Avenue between
between 8th and 9th Streets. Howie will make an appearance at 1pm!

Saturday, June 23Caribbean Unity Day and Campaign FundraiserThe Caribbean Unity Alliance in partnership with NYS Assembly candidate Anthony Beckford present Caribbean Unity Day Rally at 12:30pm. There have been talks and agendas regarding dividing our Caribbean community. We will not let that happen.

June is National Caribbean-American Month, so we want everyone to come out with the flags and show support and solidarity. (Even if you are not Caribbean, come out in solidarity.)

This Is a Day of Unity. We Are One People Under the Sun.

Volunteers are needed to hand out campaign flyers.

FOLLOWED BY:
Campaign Fundraiser at Queen Bees (3023 Church Avenue – time to be determined)